Roses & Thorns Read Online Free Page A

traveling. Since the journey would be two or
three days, she had declined Aloysius' offer of a hoop skirt or tighter corset.
    She
picked up her heavy shawl. Hand-knitted and embroidered with small flowers
along the fringed hem, it was not very fashionable. But it was her shawl, made
by her mother years ago, and it was the only thing she was taking that truly
belonged to her. Her trousseau was to be a gift from her betrothed, Aloysius
had explained. All she needed to bring was the silver rose. She was to present
it to the nobleman herself as proof of her promise to marry.
    Angelique
checked again to be sure the rose was in her drawstring purse. Then she touched
a quick hand to her hair; the silver combs seemed secure. The usual tumbling
mass of her hair was cooperating for the moment.
    She
took a deep breath, a slow one since the little-used corset wouldn't allow any
other kind. Her eyes fell tenderly on her mother's sleeping figure. She
wouldn't risk a kiss but would remember the peaceful smile. It had been a long
time since she had seen that special smile on her mother's lips.
    Aloysius
met her at the foot of the stairs. Angelique indulged him as he hugged her and
murmured something about how beautiful she looked. Then he was hustling her
through the house to the courtyard.
    "Now
be tolerant, girl. All servants seem a bit strange at times. Just remember
you're the mistress, and everything will come out right."
    Angelique
looked at him sideways, not quite understanding what he was talking about and
musing that he, of anyone, had little or no idea of how servants should be
treated. Given her personal experience with his rather absurd expectations, she
guessed their opinions were different on how any household should be run.
    "Angelique,
this is Culdun. He's the palace steward."
    "Good
day, miss." Culdun bowed politely, and Angelique tipped her head in
acknowledgment despite Aloysius' protesting squeeze on her elbow. "Your
father says you have accepted the terms of the proposal."
    Angelique
swallowed hard. "Yes."
    Culdun
studied her frankly, his dark gray eyes fastened or her face. As Angelique
looked back, she got the impression his eye had seen much and that he was far
older than he seemed. And she saw kindness, too. In that first instant,
Angelique knew that Culdun was an extraordinary man. Aloysius was right; he was
no mere servant. She thought she might like him, even if his little braid and
odd-colored eyes seemed strange to her initially.
    "I
am to ask again." His eyes held her directly. "Do you come of your
own free will?"
    This
time there was more determination in her answer "Yes, I do."
    Culdun
appeared satisfied, and Aloysius finally let go of the breath he'd been
holding.
    The
steward stepped back to open the carriage door, the coach steps unfolding at a
touch. "If you will, Mistress? Our escort is waiting."
    Angelique
could see a half-dozen horsemen of Gulden's size beyond the gate at the road.
They were well-armed and sat astride sturdy beasts. The horses that had been
tethered beside the barn, which Aloysius had used to bring home the silk and
silver that were her bride price, waited there as well.
    "Aye,
girl, it's farewell," Aloysius said. Angelique submitted to another brief
hug. "Be sure to write us now. Your mother'll be pleased for word."
    She
nodded, pausing to look up at that window. Briskly, Angelique turned. She had
said her good-byes.
    Culdun
offered a hand to steady her climb. He smiled encouragingly as she murmured a
thank you, but her sight was blurred with tears and she didn't see it.
    Angelique
wasn't certain how long they'd been driving, although she was grateful for the
time alone. She hadn't expected to cry. It was something she seldom did. But
after a bit, her tears stopped, and she became more aware of her surroundings.
    It
was as grand a carriage as the six matched horses had suggested. Its simple
lines outside, however, had given little hint to the extent of luxury within.
She sat facing